Studying the Chinese Policy Process in the Era of ‘Top-Level Design’: the Contribution of ‘Political Steering’ Theory

Schubert, Gunter; Alpermann, Björn

doi:10.1007/s11366-018-09594-8

Cited by 58 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 56 publications

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“…To fill this gap, we aim to better theorize China's climate policy process. By “theorizing,” we mean building a conceptually sound analytical framework with which policymaking can be analyzed that can inform the investigation of agenda‐setting, design, implementation and evaluation, and the thinking and behavior of the actors involved (Schubert & Alpermann, ). We do not aim for a “grand theory” but rather plead for a middle range theoretical framework that goes beyond but integrates systems theory (Zhou, ; Zhou, ) and the different typologies of central–local interactions offered so far (Oi, ; Qian & Roland, ; Qian & Xu, ).…”

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There is a considerable degree of centralization (hierarchization) and agenda‐setting and policy formulation that are streamlined at the top. The leeway afforded to local leaders for policy innovation and implementation is severely restricted by revitalised ideological control, institutional centralization, and changes in the cadre evaluation system, which assign more value to subjective assessments of local officials' superiors than to measurable indicators (Schubert & Alpermann, ).…”

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

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China's climate change policy: Central–local governmental interaction

2020

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It is indisputable that China has been a major actor in climate change. This raises the question: of which lens is most appropriate to gain an understanding of the recent changes in China's domestic climate change policy? Although there is insufficient attention paid to political science accounts of central-local relations in climate governance, this article aims to contribute to the theoretical research on Chinese climate change policy by developing and applying a theoretical framework. Using this novel theoretical framework based on systems theory, this article analyses the complex allocation of power and incentives between the central and local governments. Methodologically, this research is based on expert interviews with relevant officials, negotiators, scholars, climate nongovernmental organizations, and emitter companies. Our analysis reveals that this evolution has been a nonlinear process that has been substantially influenced by central-local governmental interactions. Specifically, we find two trial-and-error processes in the evolution of China's climate change policy. We conclude with some reflections on the wider implications of this recentralization trend for the long-term sustainability of China's climate change policies. K E Y W O R D S central-local relationship, Chinese politics, climate change, emission trading system

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Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Theoretical Frameworkmentioning

confidence: 99%

China's climate change policy: Central–local governmental interaction

2020

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“…Through the intensive superior intervention and interlocal competition, this system shapes distinct diffusion mechanisms in China (Zhu, 2013). The ongoing recentralization under Xi Jinping even extremely strengthens the top-down command and control, further curtailing the space for local innovation (Schubert & Alpermann, 2019). As a result, innovation adoption without "Top-Level Design" might not necessarily contribute to officials' career advancement, but could even be risky on the contrary.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How does policy innovation diffuse among Chinese local governments? A qualitative comparative analysis of River Chief Innovation

Zhang

Wang

2021

Public Admin & Development

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It is well-documented that interlocal learning and competition could drive policy innovation diffusion. However, their interconnection in non-western regimes as China is less explored. Utilizing the method of qualitative comparative analysis on the case of River Chief Innovation, this article intends to explore the multiple conjunctural causation of Chinese policy diffusion and the impacts of central recognition. Our findings suggest that interlocal learning and tournament could intimately stimulate Chinese policy diffusion through different combinations.Different governments would adopt innovation for various reasons in a continuum of diffusion mechanisms, involving the technical learning, the championship-induced learning, the mandate-induced learning, and the innovation tournament. Hence, despite the ongoing centralization under Xi, space for local spontaneous learning remains. We also find that central recognition could activate the interlocal tournament and extend the diffusion continuum to the tournament side. Therefore, it facilitates policy diffusion toward governments that lack learning motivations and promotes the local implementation of central preferences.

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“…To be sure, the considerable autonomy enjoyed by the city governments is not limited to the field of hukou policy but is rather typical to the “gradualist, experimental reform approach” that characterised China’s policy process since the Reform and Opening Up period (Schubert and Alpermann, 2019: 217). Among the different theoretical frameworks, two appear to be particularly relevant to explain the localisation in hukou policy.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Cross-system coordination in policymaking and vigorous top-down enforcement are identified as prominent characteristics of the new “mode of rule” under Xi Jinping (Ahlers, 2018; Alpermann and Zhang, 2018; Stepan and Ahlers, 2016). Recently, Schubert and Alpermann (2019) have further advanced a new theoretical framework of political steering to elucidate the continuity and change of China’s policy process before and since Xi’s accession to power. Drawing inspirations from the policy research conducted by German social scientists, Schubert and Alpermann (2019: 210) define “political steering” asa mode of policymaking that attempts to resolve identified social, economic and political problems within a given society by either ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ modes of state intervention or guidance of policy implementation at all administrative levels of a political system.In this framework, Xi’s new approach to policy is not conceptualised “as a radical break with former practices, but as a ‘recalibration’ between different modes of steering” (Schubert and Alpermann, 2019: 201).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Permits, Points, and Permanent Household Registration: Recalibrating Hukou Policy under “Top-Level Design”

Wang

2020

Journal of Current Chinese Affairs

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China’s New-type Urbanisation Plan heralded a new phase of reform of the household registration ( hukou) system and initiated a nation-wide reconfiguration of hukou policy in Chinese cities. This study reveals that the former localisation of hukou policymaking has been brought to greater uniformity under the current central guidelines. The liberalisation of hukou conversion has been expanded to many large cities that previously employed selective migrant integration policies. Mega-cities have recalibrated the selection criteria for new citizens, elevating the importance of settlement duration and moderating the importance of educational and professional qualifications. Case studies in Guangdong further reveal the dynamic interactions among different levels of government in the course of reform. Local policy experimentations set important precedents for central policymaking, and the central guidelines are enforcing new adjustments in local implementation. The provincial government plays a prominent role in coordinating top-down directives and local conditions.

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Studying the Chinese Policy Process in the Era of ‘Top-Level Design’: the Contribution of ‘Political Steering’ Theory

Cited by 58 publications

References 56 publications

China's climate change policy: Central–local governmental interaction

China's climate change policy: Central–local governmental interaction

How does policy innovation diffuse among Chinese local governments? A qualitative comparative analysis of River Chief Innovation

Permits, Points, and Permanent Household Registration: Recalibrating Hukou Policy under “Top-Level Design”

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